University staff to face trial
An Athens prosecutor investigating alleged financial irregularities surrounding 2 billion drachmas (6 million euros) of funds at one of Greece’s most prestigious and popular universities – Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences in Athens – is to indict 18 people to face criminal charges, including former staff, court sources said yesterday. Among the 18 to be put on trial are former rectors Dimitris Konstas and Emilios Metaxopoulos, as well as two former vice rectors. They will face charges of fraud, embezzlement, making false statements and dereliction of duty while serving as a civil servant. All university staff are classified as public employees. The charges relate to the alleged misuse of the funds between 1992 and 1998. The prosecutor decided there was not enough evidence to bring to trial another 11 people who had been under investigation. The case came to light after former rector Ilias Sidiropoulos reported the matter, after an inspection on the university’s finances suggested there had been a mismanagement of funds.
